Got my Gottesdienst today from Redeemer and while most of Trinity 2010′s issue was good, I cannot help but having a bit of juxtaposition with one quote.

“Many Christians have been duped into believing that drilling for oil in Alaska will harm the pristine land.”

“Many Christians have been duped into believing that drilling for oil in Alaska will harm the pristine land.”

“Many Christians have been duped into believing that drilling for oil in Alaska will harm the pristine land.”

“Many Christians have been duped into believing that drilling for oil in Alaska will harm the pristine land.”

Stick to what you do best– promoting the Liturgy. Allow the rest of us to be good watchful stewards as we advocate the use of energy alternatives.

Went surfing one day after some Census work, and found this article from the Concordian Sisters of Perpetual Parturition. At first, I thought: Oh crap, another article on why I’m a crummy person for having my girl parts altered for health. Then I read HR Curtis’ disclaimers. He wrote three disclaimers about how his article does NOT apply to those with hard circumstances. Instead, he wisely advised them to seek the counsel of a good pastor.

This is exactly the right thing he could say to us and others who by various interventions, cannot have children. Unlike the blanket dictum that all Confessional couples must be open to children or they are less than Christian (found in one unofficial Lutheran publication), Curtis understood that God has blessed and still blesses people who do not quite measure up to the norm.

Before I went to have corrective surgery that improved my health, I sought the counsel of my pastor. He prayed for me. He visited me at the hospital. And he told me that I can still enjoy the gift of children, just by caring for people. There are many unloved people out there.

I want to say to Pr Curtis: thank you. Thank you for understanding. (And I read the article anyway. So there. :P You should too.)

I always think of Sir Winston Churchill as my patron saint despite his lack of spiritual devotion. Recent events at the Fort has not only made me recall a similar and personal incident almost 5 years to the day, but they also reminded me of Churchill’s motto: Faithful but Unfortunate.

At the Fort, we have 21 final-year students not receiving a call. These men are indeed faithful to our Confessions and now unfortunate– for how will they pay back their student loans? How will they support themselves and their families? And will any of them be tempted to gain courage to “curse God and die”– as if God did not care about him in the first place? How horrible was that feeling. Even with medication and psychotherapy, I still have those bouts. I am sure several men are thinking that situation would require “a really futile and stupid gesture be done on [their] part.” Full circle.

Empty platitudes and glib Scripture quoting won’t help. Remember St James? “Faith without works is dead.” No, I’m not appealing to Roman Catholic theology, putting the cart before the horse. Fellow Confessionals, we have an opportunity to express our faith in God and to strengthen these students.

You can help out by contributing to the Student Emergency Fund at CTSFW. The Brothers of John the Steadfast has all the details. Also, if you know any of the 30 men at StL and FW, plus any of the Deaconess students without assignments, offer them help. These people will need help in the basic needs (food, shelter, etc) and they need employment. Let them know that their faithfulness is not in vain.